Here is What to Do About Thyroid And Weight Loss

In this article, we are going over what an underactive thyroid can do for weight loss and how one can effectively overcome it with diet changes. There is a lot to do about thyroid and weight loss.

What is Thyroid?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. The thyroid gland sits just below your voice box, or larynx. It produces hormones that help regulate how your body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive your body is to other hormones.

The thyroid is the size of a lima bean and weighs about 25 grams (less than one ounce). Your thyroid has two main functions:

• To help control the rate of chemical reactions throughout the body
• To produce thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are involved in controlling metabolism–how fast or slow certain cells work.

Your thyroid can also make certain other hormones, including calcitonin and calcicristin.

The two main types of thyroid are:

There is a very low risk of developing a problem with your thyroid gland, and most people have enough hormones for most of their life, even if they have no symptoms at all.

What Causes Thyroid Disease?

Some thyroid diseases are inherited and passed down through families. Others are caused by other factors, including:

• Radiotherapy to the head and neck
• Taking radioactive iodine or other medications that damage the gland
• Exposure to high levels of radiation
• Exposure to chemicals such as perchlorate, used in some fertilizers and drinking water treatment systems
• A diet very low in iodine or exposure to a large number of goitrogens (substances that block the use of iodine) like soy products or some varieties of raw cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

Also, hypothyroidism can cause weight gain.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a common autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s ability to produce thyroid hormones is reduced. Symptoms associated with reduced production of thyroid hormones can include a general feeling of malaise, fatigue, depression or irritability, slowed thinking and movement (called myoclonus), weight gain and excess belly fat, brittle nails and hair, lack of energy (sometimes called “sluggishness”), cold intolerance to dry skin.

The conditions hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are the two extremes of a spectrum of thyroid function. The symptoms associated with the effects of too little or too much thyroid hormones on the body can include weight gain and thinning hair in hyperthyroidism, weight gain, and hair loss in hypothyroidism.

Treatment for hypothyroidism includes medications that replace or supplement the hormone levothyroxine. Treatment requires lifelong regular dosing with levothyroxine to avoid symptoms of hypothyroidism appearing again.

A person who suspects they may have thyroid disease should consult with a doctor and get tested for both hyperploidy and autoimmune thyroid disease before assuming a problem exists.

Here is What to Do About Thyroid And Weight Loss

The reduced energy associated with hypothyroidism may make it difficult to exercise vigorously enough to burn calories at the same rate as someone without hypothyroidism. Therefore, people with hypothyroidism often recommend taking thyroid hormone supplements.

However, besides taking the regular medicine and supplements, you can implement these tips below:

1) Eat Anti-inflammatory Foods

Anti-inflammatory foods can help ease joint aches and pains as well as depression, all of which can result from hypothyroidism. One of the best anti-inflammatory foods is salmon because it’s rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Just one serving of salmon per week can reduce inflammation significantly. Other anti-inflammatory foods include tomatoes, garlic, low-fat yogurt, soymilk, nuts, carrots, and beans.

2) Eat Foods Rich in Selenium

Selenium is an essential mineral that plays many important roles in the body, including managing thyroid gland activity. Selenium deficiency is common in people with hypothyroidism. A number of foods are rich in selenium including tuna, chicken, mushrooms, and sunflower seeds.

3) Eat More Fiber

To improve constipation, eat a high fiber diet because digestive problems like constipation can cause hypothyroidism. Some foods rich in fiber include vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

Did you know that there are fiber supplements that can help you lose weight?

7 Best Supplements for Fiber that Will Make You Slimmer

Check the article above!

4) Avoid Gluten Intake

Some people may feel better when they avoid gluten intake because gluten can cause inflammation and leaky gut syndrome which results from the immune system attacking the small intestine.

5) Drink More Water

People with hypothyroidism should drink more water to stay hydrated because dehydration can worsen your symptoms. When you are well-hydrated, the glucose in your bloodstream is used more effectively by your cells, and therefore you will have less fatigue.

6) Exercise

According to several studies, regular exercise can reduce thyroid hormone levels in people with hypothyroidism. Most people with hypothyroidism experience a decrease in energy level during exercise. However, because regularly exercising helps to increase your energy level and metabolism over time, training for a 5k run may be something that you look forward to doing every week instead of dreading it like you did when you started out. So this can help with weight loss and also helps your thyroid and overall health.

7) Eat More Calories

If you feel lethargic or light-headed during exercise, increase the number of calories you eat before you go out to run. One study indicates that people who consume extra calories have lower resting levels of free T4 and free T3. So the more calories you consume, the better for your thyroid and body.

Summary

Thyroid disease can cause a number of symptoms that range from mild to severe. The good news is that most people who get thyroid disease are considered to be in the “normal” portion of the spectrum of thyroid dysfunction. However, because most people with hypothyroidism experience weight gain and low energy, it’s important for people to know what the symptoms are in order to avoid it.

Any of us who are on the path to weight loss ought to be aware of all the factors that can prevent us from actually achieving the goal and having a healthier, more energetic life. So let’s be mindful of these symptoms so we can have a healthy diagnosis, treatment, and weight loss.

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